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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back sharply on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of misstating Washington’s position and signaling that the United States could redirect weapons support toward Kyiv to bolster its own campaign following attacks on Iran. Zelensky had claimed in an interview that the United States was urging Ukraine to surrender the eastern Donbas region to Russia before any post-war security commitments are finalized. Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.…

Gulf Powers Call for Unified Front Against Rising Iranian ‘Aggression’ RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a joint warning Monday, condemning continued Iranian attacks against Gulf states as a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional stability, and vowing that Gulf Cooperation Council member states would “spare no effort” to defend their territories. In a high-level call, the leaders pledged to mobilize “all available capabilities” to…

Security Cameras in Somalia: Deterrence or Danger? MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a strategic move to counter al Shabaab's persistent threat, thousands of security cameras have sprouted across Somalia's bustling capital. This initiative aims to keep a vigilant eye on the city's pulse, offering a sense of security to its residents. Yet, for business owners, the presence of these cameras also fans the flames of anxiety due to fears of potential retaliation. Launched by the local government, the CCTV network has empowered authorities…

In the spotlight, we see prominent figures like Egypt's el-Sisi, Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrea's Isaias Afwerki, accompanied by former Somali leader Farmaajo and Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed. In recent happenings in Mogadishu (AX), a fresh alliance has been brewed between Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt. This unexpected coalition marks a significant turning point in the state of affairs in the Horn of Africa. The pact, unveiled during a gathering in Asmara, brings Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrean leader…

Turning up in Mogadishu, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi gets a warm welcome after returning from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Mogadishu (AX) — Just back from the international spotlight, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia's Foreign Minister, recently chewed the fat with Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts, focusing on what Somalia says are ongoing invasions by Ethiopia into its turf. Both Egypt and Eritrea threw their weight behind Somalia, lambasting Ethiopia for actions that jeopardize Somalia's…

The rift between Egypt and Ethiopia has hit a boiling point recently. The discord stems back to 2011, when Ethiopia began building the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, igniting Egypt's fears over its water and food security. Recently, tensions heightened further following Egypt's rapprochement with Ethiopia’s foe, Somalia. On August 27, Egypt dispatched two C-130 military aircraft brimming with weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu. This marked Egypt’s first military aid to Somalia in over four…

US General: Afghans need US troops to counter the Taliban Afghanistan's military forces need US assistance to successfully counter the Taliban, the top general of the US Special Operations Command said to Congress on Thursday in the midst of the debate over whether US forces should remain in the country beyond May 1. General Richard Clarke also reiterated the sentiments of other…